Is potty training hopeless?

[Stacy]

Yesterday I spent half the day dog proofing the garage so Maggie can stay out there when I leave. I had two thoughts behind this. The first is that the carpet really needs a break. The second is that hopefully she would not want to potty on the concrete. I thought maybe she thinks the carpet is a good place to go because it's absorbent like grass, and it just disappears, so it doesn't count. 

I was out to dinner for 3 1/2 hours - so I feel like it's absolutely not that she was left too long and couldn't hold it. She peed and pooped in the garage. She has also been pooping in the house when I leave her home, but honestly that issue is a distant second to the pee problem. 

I left 9 - 10 hours after she ate breakfast, and we had taken an hour long walk and played out in the back yard for hours, so she had ample opportunity to go potty. I've never been able to get her to potty on leash though. 

I wonder if the pottying has anything to do with anxiety about being left alone. She wasn't nearly as happy about being left in the garage as she is being left in the house. And she doesn't seem to have separation anxiety, but maybe that has something to do with it? 

Also, the trainer threw another fly in my plans the other day when he was here. We are working diligently on crate training. She's doing well in the crate with the door shut as long as I sit on the couch next to her. But he said that some dogs have learned to potty in their crates, so what if I finally get her crate trained and she potties in her crate too? 

I know other people have rescue dogs and they don't all just potty everywhere. And she's only 18 months old. She's not too old to learn new things. But I'm 100% stumped on how to correct when I'm not here. Even the trainers only suggestion is to just work really hard on getting her crate trained. Do I just need to resign myself to managing the situation, or is there hope that I can fix it? There's got to be some sort of solution. I'm really not having a good time with the carpet cleaner. And no matter how much I clean it doesn't really fix it. 

[Stacy]

I have 2 weeks off in the middle of May and the only thing on the agenda is dog time. I'm hoping that we will have made some big progress by the time that's over. Family vacation with nephews and dogs is at the end of June and I'm really hoping that she will be in a place where that's possible by then.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree this is the perfect answer if it's at all possible.

[Amy and Annabelle]

I'm glad you get that 2 weeks before you go on the family vacation, that should help a lot with her confidence and potty training.

[Jonathan Lepage]

Also when she pees or poop outside. Throw a party, give her some treats.  

When she does it in the house or garage. Just clean it without any reaction from your part. 

She'll find that pooping is much more fun. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am sorry for you right now (and empathize with your frustration) but I am very happy for Maggie - happy because you are not giving up on her. Others might.  I just placed a dog with who I thought were going to be wonderful owners - I made them commit to a trainer because of his 'issues,' but guess what!?  Yup! They haven't.  He is displaying other behaviors that aren't acceptable  to them and they are almost ready to throw in the towel before much trying.  It has been a month.

[Stacy]

That makes me sad. I made a commitment to Maggie. For better or worse. She's my kid and she always will be. Sure, I wish it was easier sometimes. I wish she was more affectionate. I wish she would only potty in the right place. But I love her, and I know that stuff will come in time. I just don't think you get to quit when things don't go exactly the way you planned. You work harder, and develop more patience, and whine to your friends. But this is Maggie's home, and we're going to figure it out together. Even if the trainer has to move in!

[Amy and Annabelle]

Well is the trainer cute? I'm glad you're in it for the long haul. But there was never any doubt. 

[Stacy]

I'm not sure if cute is the right word. But he would be the right kind of guy. I always said if I ever found the right man it would be at the dog park!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I love you Stacy.  :-)

[Stacy]

I'm a little afraid to say this and jinx myself, I've jinxed myself several times with Maggie. But it's been 5 days with no accidents in the house and yesterday she went all day without peeing in the garage! Maybe it's not hopeless at all!

[Amy and Annabelle]

So happy to hear that. It sounds hopeful, not hopeless. You're doing great. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Paws crossed that the lightbulb has gone on!